Patents by Inventor Brian Berner

Brian Berner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11936957
    Abstract: A client determines that a user is attempting to access media program recommendations. In response to the determination, the client attempts to collect media program recommendations to be presented to the user. Media program recommendations may be derived locally by the client, by the client and a multimedia device locally connected with the client, by the client and one or more additional devices, etc. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a query from the client, one or more recipient devices or servers identify media program recommendations in a plurality of trending categories. The media program recommendations may be selected based at least in part on EPG data and audience research and measurement data. The media program recommendations collected by the client are presented to the user for further exploration. The client may be one of mobile phones, tablet computers, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Berner, Gabriel Dalbec, James Yee Liang Cheng, Brian W. Beach
  • Patent number: 11875957
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes contacts with graphite carbon electrode forming the arc gap. In addition, the carbon contacts are located in a chamber containing at least 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dielectric gas to achieve improved arc interrupting performance. In conventional switches, the metallic contacts introduce metallic vapors into the arc plasma that inhibits the ability of the dielectric gas to interrupt high voltage, high current arcs. As the element carbon is inherently present in CO2 gas, the addition of vapors from the carbon electrodes into the dielectric gas does not significantly interfere with the dielectric arc-interrupting performance of the CO2 dielectric gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTHERN STATES LLC
    Inventors: Brian Berner, Joseph R Rostron, Brian Roberts
  • Publication number: 20220285111
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes contacts with graphite carbon electrode forming the arc gap. In addition, the carbon contacts are located in a chamber containing at least 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dielectric gas to achieve improved arc interrupting performance. In conventional switches, the metallic contacts introduce metallic vapors into the arc plasma that inhibits the ability of the dielectric gas to interrupt high voltage, high current arcs. As the element carbon is inherently present in CO2 gas, the addition of vapors from the carbon electrodes into the dielectric gas does not significantly interfere with the dielectric arc-interrupting performance of the CO2 dielectric gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Berner, Joseph R Rostron, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 11380501
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes contacts with graphite carbon electrode forming the arc gap. In addition, the carbon contacts are located in a chamber containing at least 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dielectric gas to achieve improved arc interrupting performance. In conventional switches, the metallic contacts introduce metallic vapors into the arc plasma that inhibits the ability of the dielectric gas to interrupt high voltage, high current arcs. As the element carbon is inherently present in CO2 gas, the addition of vapors from the carbon electrodes into the dielectric gas does not significantly interfere with the dielectric arc-interrupting performance of the CO2 dielectric gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Southern States LLC
    Inventors: Brian Berner, Joseph R Rostron, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 11063425
    Abstract: Fault detection, isolation and restoration systems for electric power systems using “smart switch” points that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. Each smart recloser can be individually programmed to operate as a tie-switch, a Type-A (normal or default type) sectionalizer, or a Type-B (special type) sectionalizer. The Type-A recloser automatically opens when it detects a fault, uses a direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault operating protocol, and stays “as is” with no automatic opening when power (voltage) is lost on both sides of the switch. The Type-B sectionalizer does the same thing and is further configured to automatically open when it detects that it is deenergized on both sides for a pre-defined time period, and to operate like a tie-switch once open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Southern States, LLC
    Inventors: Jiyuan Fan, Joseph R Rostron, Hua Fan, David Moore, Raj Anand, Brian Berner, Buddy Reneau
  • Publication number: 20210202195
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes contacts with graphite carbon electrode forming the arc gap. In addition, the carbon contacts are located in a chamber containing at least 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dielectric gas to achieve improved arc interrupting performance. In conventional switches, the metallic contacts introduce metallic vapors into the arc plasma that inhibits the ability of the dielectric gas to interrupt high voltage, high current arcs. As the element carbon is inherently present in CO2 gas, the addition of vapors from the carbon electrodes into the dielectric gas does not significantly interfere with the dielectric arc-interrupting performance of the CO2 dielectric gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Berner, Joseph R Rostron, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 10923907
    Abstract: Electric power Fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR) systems using “smart switches” that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. The smart switches typically operate during the substation breaker reclose cycles while the substation breakers are open, which enables the substation breakers to reclose successfully to restore service within their normal reclosing cycles. Alternatively, the smart switch may be timed to operate before the substation breakers trip to effectively remove the substation breakers from the fault isolation process. Both approaches allow the FDIR system to be installed with minimal reconfiguration of the substation protection scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Southern States, LLC
    Inventors: Jiyuan Fan, Joseph R Rostron, Hua Fan, David Moore, Raj Anand, Brian Berner, Buddy Reneau
  • Publication number: 20190280476
    Abstract: Electric power Fault detection, isolation and restoration (FDIR) systems using “smart switches” that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. The smart switches typically operate during the substation breaker reclose cycles while the substation breakers are open, which enables the substation breakers to reclose successfully to restore service within their normal reclosing cycles. Alternatively, the smart switch may be timed to operate before the substation breakers trip to effectively remove the substation breakers from the fault isolation process. Both approaches allow the FDIR system to be installed with minimal reconfiguration of the substation protection scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Jiyuan Fan, Joseph R. Rostron, Hua Fan, David Moore, Raj Anand, Brian Berner, Buddy Reneau
  • Publication number: 20190277904
    Abstract: Fault detection, isolation and restoration systems for electric power systems using “smart switch” points that autonomously coordinate operations to minimize the number of customers affected by outages and their durations, without relying on communications with a central controller or between the smart switch points. Each smart recloser can be individually programmed to operate as a tie-switch, a Type-A (normal or default type) sectionalizer, or a Type-B (special type) sectionalizer. The Type-A recloser automatically opens when it detects a fault, uses a direction-to-fault and zone-based distance-to-fault operating protocol, and stays “as is” with no automatic opening when power (voltage) is lost on both sides of the switch. The Type-B sectionalizer does the same thing and is further configured to automatically open when it detects that it is deenergized on both sides for a pre-defined time period, and to operate like a tie-switch once open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Jiyuan Fan, Joseph R. Rostron, Hua Fan, David Moore, Raj Anand, Brian Berner, Buddy Reneau
  • Patent number: 9052363
    Abstract: A blade closing detector for an electric power switch includes a blade closing detector and an electronic or visual indicator. A first type of detector uses a gravity switch and a magnetic pickup to detect proper engagement between the blade and the switch. A second type of detector uses a sliding latch with a visual indicator rod to provide a visual indication of proper engagement of the blade within the jaws. A third type of detector uses a magnetic switch with a pivot arm and a dome shaped visual indicator. These detectors may be deployed individually or in combination and may be augmented with communication equipment to transmit switch status to a remote location. It will be understood that specific embodiments may include a variety of features in different combinations, as desired by different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: South States LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R Rostron, Raj Anand, Brian VanHiel, Kirk Charles, Andres Rodriguez, Brian Berner
  • Patent number: D894134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Southern States LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R Rostron, Todd Douthit, Teng Hu, Brian Berner, Karl Fendor, Buddy Reneau